Camp opens with whole different feel

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Photo: Eric Risberg

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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy , left, watches position players stretch at the beginning of their spring training baseball workout in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. The Giants held their first full squad workout Tuesday at Scottsdale Stadium. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) EFE OUT less

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy , left, watches position players stretch at the beginning of their spring training baseball workout in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. The Giants held their ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg

Camp opens with whole different feel

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Just before Tuesday's first full-squad workout of 2008, the Giants held what longtime observers described as one of the most unusual welcome-to-camp meetings in years.

Customarily, the manager shares a few thoughts on the first morning the entire team is together, and Bruce Bochy offered what one player called a rousing speech. Then, several players, including new center fielder Aaron Rowand, stood and spoke.

That might not be unusual elsewhere, but according to insiders, that rarely happened when Barry Bonds was here because people were reluctant to step on his toes. (Bonds was known sometimes to pooh-pooh teammates' comments during the meetings.)

The gist of the message from Bochy, Rowand and others: More than ever, the Giants must play as a team, because Bonds will not be around to save them anymore with a home run. They will have to execute perfectly and do everything the right way, not starting when they open the season March 31, but with the workout that began the moment Tuesday's meeting ended.

"We've got to be accountable, and guys are going to have to pick one another up," said left fielder Dave Roberts, echoing Bochy's principal message. "If you look at the last 15 years, Barry answered all the questions and had all the expectations on him. Now, it's up to all 25 guys to answer the questions and perform because we can't wait around for Bonds to hit a three-run homer."

Roberts said Bochy was "very passionate about it. If the players buy into it, it could be a very good thing. If they don't, it could be a disaster, like last year."

First cuts: The hitters seemed particularly inspired. They were unusually frisky during their first full-speed batting practice against pitchers who have been throwing for weeks already.

"Usually they just stand there and look at pitches," Kevin Correia said. "The first three pitches I threw to Omar (Vizquel), he whacked them into the outfield. I thought, 'OK, let's go.' "

Batting practice opened with a symbolic pairing. Last year's major signing, Barry Zito, pitched to this year's, Rowand - a $186 million encounter.

"I faced him a bunch when he was in Chicago," Zito said. "I used to work him on the inside corner a lot. Maybe he was looking for it today because he hit one down the line pretty good."

Fred Lewis had a rough start. The left-handed hitter took his first cuts against two big, fire-throwing lefties, Erick Threets and Jose Capellan, who practically sidearms the ball.

"I told them I was hoping to come in here and get my confidence up," Lewis said. "My confidence is a little shaky right now."